?? Whitwhams 2000 VP

[Andy Velebil]

So i ran across this at Trader Joe's Market for $10.00 (US). Never heard of it, so for ten bucks I figured what the heck. I havn't opened it yet, but I just tried to find some info online and couldn't. DOes anyone know about this VP?

Bottle does say Produced in the Douro District, bottled and shipped by Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Cinhas do Alto Douro, S.A.

I am not holding my breath that it is a great bottle...but what the heck, I'm always up for trying something new, LOL!

[Al B.]

Whitwham is an old name in port that I thought had disappeared about 20 years back. Historically, it was an English wine merchant who used to import port wine and bottle it in the UK before selling it on.

I guess that this wine was an "own label" produced by a co-operative for Whitwhams.

It might be a decent drink. Let us know when you open it.

Alex

[Andy Velebil]

Alex,

Thanks for the information, i wonder what Quinta they are getting it from.

I will probably be opening it early next week. When I do I'll let you know how it is.

[Jason Brandt Lewis]

Whitwhams is STILL a UK wine merchant that supplies a number of US as well as UK merchants.

Whitwham's used to have (and perhaps still does) Cristiano van Zeller on their board of directors, and was (is?) responsible for sourcing Port wine for the firm. The first Whitwham's branded Port I ever saw/had was the nv Whitwham's Millenium Port. This -- if I remember the story correctly (I imported it directly from Whitwham's) was some 19th century Colheita that was "discovered" by Cristiano, moved over to Neipoort where it was "refreshed" by Dirk with some younger wine (sourced from where, I do not know), and bottled in time to celebrate the Millenium. Personally, I thought it was pretty darned good!

Exactly where this 2000 Vintage Porto was sourced, I have no idea, but it may say in fine print on the label -- look at the "P&B" line. It might offer some idea. But for $10, I think I'll head off to my local TJ's tomorrow and see if they have some.

Cheers -- and Happy Turkey Day!
Jason

[Andy Velebil]

Thanks Jason,

I re-checked the label and it offers no other clue as to the source. It's a really generic looking white label, with little info. It does say it is imported by J. A. White of Fullerton, California (a city down the road a few miles from me). If you try it before I get a chance next week, please let me know what you think of it.

Thanks again

[Shawn Denkler]

Whitwhams was an old English merchant that was sold about six years ago to Fine and Rare Wines Ltd. In the early nineties Whitwhams wholesale offerings listed thousands of cases of low end vintage port. It is amazing to look back at the catalog now.

The wine buyer for our local Trader Joe's was at a dinner party with me last night. Over a glass of 83 Fonseca he told me about the $9.99 price for the Whitwhams. It had been selling at $19.99 but corporate headquarters wanted some room on the shelf for new items and the Whitwhams was discounted well below their cost.

I had seen the 2000 on the shelf at $19.99 and passed because I had tried the 1999 at that price and thought it was very average. The 1999 was coarse and more tannic than some of the other VPs TJ has carried in the same price range. But at half price for the 2000, I'll get some soon, that is cheaper than LBV or Fonseca Bin 27, etc.

Shawn

[Andy Velebil]

Shawn and Jason,

I just opened the bottle, 8pm Sunday, West Coast (US) time. It was a rather ugly and sad day at work today so I though a nice glass or two of porto over the next few hours would cheer me up. (boy does that sound like I need AA or what )

I double decanted it and then just tried a couple sips. The nose has A LOT of alcohol on it. It was very dark in color and the bottle had very little sediment when I strained it through cheese cloth. The first taste was very tannic, and the fruit seemed to be there, but were very muted. I have never had a VP this young before so I really don't know what to expect. But right now it just seems closed up at this point.

I will post back later after I try it over the next 24-36 hours.

BTW, I am glad they dropped the price. I saw it a bit ago for $20.00 and though it was a bit much for a VP I had never heard of.

[Andy Velebil]

Well sad to say, this one never quite got any better. Its been about 36 hours in the decanter and after tasting it regularly during that time, it has not gotten any better. Still way too much heat and most of the fruit that was there early on is all but gone. Not worth the $10.00 I payed for it.

[michael miller]

Whitwhams was also the merchant who was found out to be in counterfeit business, too, some years ago. Fake wines, that is.

Michael

[Jason Brandt Lewis]

Whitwhams was an old English merchant that was sold about six years ago to Fine and Rare Wines Ltd. In the early nineties Whitwhams wholesale offerings listed thousands of cases of low end vintage port. It is amazing to look back at the catalog now.

The wine buyer for our local Trader Joe's was at a dinner party with me last night. Over a glass of 83 Fonseca he told me about the $9.99 price for the Whitwhams. It had been selling at $19.99 but corporate headquarters wanted some room on the shelf for new items and the Whitwhams was discounted well below their cost.

I had seen the 2000 on the shelf at $19.99 and passed because I had tried the 1999 at that price and thought it was very average. The 1999 was coarse and more tannic than some of the other VPs TJ has carried in the same price range. But at half price for the 2000, I'll get some soon, that is cheaper than LBV or Fonseca Bin 27, etc.

Shawn

Why Shawn Denkler, as I live and breathe . . . WELCOME to the board!

[Shawn Denkler]

Hi Jason

Thanks for the welcome, it is nice to see your posts. I did not realize you were in Berkeley. I have plenty of port to crack if you have the time.

I still store my wine at Adventures In Wine and open a bottle of port with Merrick at dinner on rare occasions.

For the rest of you, Adventures In Wine is an importer of port, various vintages and shippers from England. They sell mostly wholesale.

Shawn